Cushioning member and packaging device

ABSTRACT

[Problem] Provided is a cushioning member and a packaging device which have enough capability of protecting an object to be packaged and improving a packaging efficiency. 
     [Solution] The disclosed cushioning member is arranged in a packaging box and is the cushioning member for protecting the object to be packaged, and includes a plurality of cushion elements in which a holding part which holds said object to be packaged is formed in a surface side and at least one projection part is formed in the other surface side respectively, and a fixing member in which through holes through which said projection part of each said cushion element can pierce are formed at predetermined positions and movements of each said cushion element are restricted by inserting each said projection part in said corresponding through hole, wherein said projection parts pierce said through holes and a tip end part of each said projection part contacts with an inner wall side of said packaging box in the case of arranging each said cushion element which is fixed by said fixing member in said packaging box.

THCHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cushioning member and a packagingdevice which protect an object to be packaged from impacts.

BACKGROUND ART

Styrene foam is becoming popular as a cushioning member which isinterposed between a packaging box and objects to be packaged andprotects the object to be packaged from falling or impacts by collisionwith other objects, in the case that the electronic apparatusesincluding personal computers, displays and the communication devices orthe like are packed.

As a first example of using the styrene foam for the cushioning member,it includes a case that all the cushioning members are formed by thestyrene foam. However, in this case, it needs to mold a complicatedshape of the object to be packaged as a mold. Further, in order to formas a whole using relatively expensive styrene foam, there is a problemthat a cost may increase.

Alternatively, as a second example, a method is well known where thestyrene foam is partially used (e.g. four corners) for it instead offorming everything using it. Because it can reduce amount ofconsumptions of the styrene foam, it can suppress increase of the cost.However, it may cause the following two problems because the styrenefoams are separately formed.

The first problem is on a point that an efficiency of a packaging workis low. Here, for example, a packaging method where it covers an upperpart of the object to be packaged with a plurality of styrene foams inthe packaging box is assumed. Since, in this kind of the packagingmethod, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of styrene foams at eachfour corners, it is hard to say that it can keep a high workingefficiency.

The second problem is on a point that damages may be added to the objectto be packaged at a time of transportation. Specifically, because thestyrene foams are separated and are not fixed each other, those areshaken due to vibrations at a time of transportation and the object tobe packaged will be chafed and damaged because of the shakes.

Patent document 1 discloses that whole the cushioning members arecomposed of a plurality of styrene foam members instead of singlestyrene foam member in order to overcome the above-mentioned problem.Further, the Patent Document 1 discloses that it fixes positions of aplurality of styrene foam members by joining a plurality of styrene foammembers to a fixing member which is formed by a relatively cheapcorrugated fiberboard. By composing the cushioning member as isdescribed above, cost can be reduced since amount of consumption of thestyrene foam members can be reduced. In addition, the Patent Document 1discloses that it adopts a packaging method where the cushioning member,which is designed as described above, covers an upper part of the objectto be packaged in the packaging box which is made of corrugatedfiberboard. Here, a plurality of styrene foam members are fixed by thefixing member. Accordingly, in the case of covering the styrene foam onthe object to be packaged, because it can arrange a plurality of styrenefoam members at four corners in one lump instead of arrangingseparately, packaging efficiency can be improved.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] The Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No.H6-6265.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Incidentally, following to the Patent Document 1, the joining of thestyrene foam member and the fixing member is done by inserting a ligulapiece formed in the fixing member to an insertion groove formed in thestyrene foam member. Then, in the Patent Document 1, as it is mentionedabove, the cushioning member which is designed following to thedescriptions covers the upper part of the object to be packaged in thepackaging box. That is, in the case of the Patent Document 1, the fixingmember made of corrugated fiberboard contacts with the inner wall sideof a lid of the packaging box made of corrugated fiberboard. Basically,the corrugated fiberboard has a plastic body and has a characteristicthat elastic deformation is difficult in thickness direction. That is,according to the Patent Document 1, because of a fact that a part of thefixing member is plastically contacted, it cannot elastically absorbvibrations in a vertical direction, for example, at a time oftransportation and gaps are formed among the lid, the cushioning memberand the object to be packaged, and therefore the object to be packagedis shaken and there is further apprehension that the object to bepackaged will be hurt. Moreover, according to the Patent Document 1, dueto the above-mentioned characteristics of the joining, because thestructure is such that the lid and the cushioning member are contactedat whole of the surface, there is also an apprehension that gaps arecreated by slightly tilting the surface of the cushioning member to asurface of the lid.

Further, according to the Patent Document 1, because the ligula piece issimply formed by cutting off a part of the corrugated fiberboard andbending the notch part, strength of the ligula piece is not so high.Accordingly, by the vibrations at a time of transportation, the ligulapiece collapses or moves and the styrene foam member shifts its positionor shakes accordingly, and this may injure the object to be packaged.Moreover, the ligula piece may tear from its root position, and there isan apprehension that the fixing member and the styrene foam member areto be separated.

On the other hand, it also has a problem that the packaging efficiency(in other words, the assembly efficiency of the cushioning member) isnot so high. As it is mentioned above, because the ligula piece issimply formed by bending the corrugated fiberboard, it does not haveenough strength. Accordingly, at a time of an assembly work of thecushioning member, there is also an apprehension that it becomesdifficult to insert the ligula piece into a notch part in a situationthat the ligula piece is being bent or the like

As a summary, according to the Patent Document 1, even though it cansuppress increase of the cost of the cushioning member (and packagingdevice), a performance of protecting the object to be packaged and thepackaging efficiency are not so high.

The present invention has been made in order to settle theabove-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a cushioningmember and a packaging device capable of having high performance forprotecting the object to be packaged and improving the packagingefficiency.

Solution to Problem

In order to settle the above-mentioned problems, a cushioning member ofthe present invention is arranged in a packaging box and is thecushioning member for protecting an object to be packaged, comprising: aplurality of cushion elements in which a holding part which holds saidobject to be packaged is formed in a surface side and at least oneprojection part is formed in the other surface side respectively, and afixing member in which through holes which said projection part of eachsaid cushion element can pierce are formed at predetermined positionsand movements of each said cushion element are restricted by insertingeach said projection part in said corresponding through hole, whereinsaid projection parts pierce said through holes and a tip end part ofeach said projection part contacts with an inner wall side of saidpackaging box in the case of arranging each said cushion element whichis fixed by said fixing member in said packaging box.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, a cushioning member and a packagingdevice capable of having high performance for protecting the object tobe packaged and improving packaging efficiency are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplaryconfiguration of the packaging device according to a first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplaryconfiguration of a second cushioning member shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view at A-A line in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplaryconfiguration of the second cushioning member according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of afixing member according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a variation example of acushion element.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is the exploded perspective view showing the exemplaryconfiguration of a packaging device 10 according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The packaging device 10 includes apackaging box 12, a first cushioning member 14 which is accommodated inthe packaging box 12 and protects a work W (i.e. object to be packaged)from impacts, and a second cushioning member 16 (i.e. cushioningmember).

The first cushioning member 14 is formed by members having elasticity(e.g. corrugated fiberboard or styrene foam member). A holding part 22which fits to a shape of a bottom part of the work W is formed in asurface side which contacts with the work W of the first cushioningmember 14. The second cushioning member 16 is set at an upper part ofthe work W and protects the work W.

When it packages, at first, the first cushioning member 14 is set in thebottom part of the packaging box 12 and the work W is mounted on thefirst cushioning member 14. Then, the second cushioning member 16 isarranged on the upper part of the work W. Finally, a ceiling lid 20 ofthe packaging box 12 is closed, and the packaging is completed.

FIG. 2 is the exploded perspective view showing the exemplaryconfiguration of the second cushioning member 16. The second cushioningmember 16 includes a plurality of cushion elements 30 a and 30 b and afixing member 32.

Each of cushion elements 30 a and 30 b has elasticity and protects thework W from impacts. Hereinafter, a case is exemplified where thecushion elements 30 a and 30 b are formed using the styrene foam. It isneedless to mention that the material of the cushion elements 30 a and30 b are not limited to the styrene foam. A holding part 40 which holdsthe work W is formed at a surface side (i.e. surface side which contactswith the work W) of each of cushion elements 30 a and 30 b. At least oneprojection part 42 is formed in the other surface side (i.e. surfaceside which contacts with the ceiling lid 20 of the packaging box 12) ofeach of cushion elements 30 a and 30 b. In the following descriptions, acase where the projection part 42 is formed one by one at both of theend parts of each of cushion elements 30 a and 30 b is exemplified. Notethat number of the projection parts 42 is not limited to the abovedescriptions, and it can be appropriately adjusted based on variouscharacteristics (e.g. weight and shape of the work W).

The fixing member 32 restricts movements of each of cushion elements 30a and 30 b. Hereinafter, a case where the fixing member 32 is formedwith the corrugated fiberboard is exemplified. It is needless to mentionthat the material of the fixing member 32 is not limited to thecorrugated fiberboard. The fixing member 32 is formed by a singlerectangular plate member such as a corrugated fiberboard sheet. Throughholes 44 for inserting the projection parts 42 of each of cushionelements 30 a and 30 b are formed at predetermined positions of thefixing member 32. By inserting each projection part 42 in acorresponding through hole 44, movements to the front, to the back, tothe left, to the right, and to the oblique direction (i.e. X-Y plane inFIG. 2), slipping down in the height direction (i.e. Z-direction in FIG.2) and shakes (i.e. rotation around axis of Y-direction in FIG. 2) ofeach of cushion elements 30 a and 30 b can be restricted.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, a case is exemplifiedwhere the cushion elements 30 a and 30 b are fixed at each end part of apair of opposing side which faces in a direction of fluted direction(i.e. X-direction in FIG. 2 and is first direction) of the corrugatedfiberboard of the fixing member 32. In the above description, the fluteddirection of the corrugated fiberboard indicates an extended directionof a core (i.e. inside of the corrugated fiberboard and the corrugatedpart) which composes the corrugated fiberboard. It is well known thatthis direction has a higher strength compared with a direction which iscrossing at right angle with the direction (i.e. direction which thecorrugated part lines up). Accordingly, by arranging the cushionelements 30 a and 30 b at each end part of a pair of opposing side whichfaces in this direction, it can enhance the strength against impactsadded to the X-direction in FIG. 2 of the second cushioning member 16.In this case, although the direction of crossing at right angle withfluted direction has low strength, because impacts added to thisdirection is absorbed by the cushion elements 30 a and 30 b, it maycause no problems.

FIG. 3 indicates the enlarged cross-sectional view at the A-A line inFIG. 1. As it is recognized by FIG. 3, almost all the portion of theprojection part 42 pierces the through hole 44 and exposes to the backsurface of the fixing member 32. That is, when each of cushion elements30 a and 30 b which is fixed by the fixing member 32 are installed inthe packaging box 12, the projection part 42, which is exposed to theback surface of the fixing member 32, contacts with the inner wall sideof the ceiling lid 20. In this case, a thickness (i.e. cross-sectionalarea in the X-Y plane in FIG. 2) and a length (i.e. length in theZ-axial direction in FIG. 2) of the projection part 42 are appropriatelyadjusted based on various characteristics (e.g. weight and shape of thework W).

As described above, the present exemplary embodiment has a structure inwhich the projection part 42 which pierced the fixing member 32 contactswith the inner wall side of the ceiling lid 20. That is, the structurecan achieve elastic contact (i.e. contact of corrugated fiberboard andstyrene foam member) instead of plastic contact as is disclosed in thePatent Document 1 (i.e. contact of corrugated fiberboard and corrugatedfiberboard), between the ceiling lid 20 and the second cushioning member16. That is, according to the present exemplary embodiment, because itcan elastically keep contacting the ceiling lid 20 and the work W viathe second cushioning member 16, it can evades to generate gaps betweenthe ceiling lid 20, the second cushioning member 16 and the work Wunless huge hard vibrations are added. Accordingly, shakes of the work Ware suppressed, and damages of the work due to shakes (i.e. it canimprove performance of protecting the work W) can be prevented.

Further, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it employs amethod where the ceiling lid 20 and the second cushioning member 16 arecontacted at a plurality of projection parts 42 instead of contacting atwhole of the surface as is disclosed in the Patent Document 1. It alsobrings an effect that impacts are mitigated and are less transmitted tothe work W by the projection parts being transformed, because theprojection parts are easier to transform than whole the surface.Further, in the case of a structure where the ceiling lid 20 and thesecond cushioning member 16 are contacted at a plurality of projectionparts 42, even in the case that the second cushioning member 16 tiltsagainst the surface of the ceiling lid 20, inclinations are absorbed bythe transformations of the projection parts and the gaps are accordinglyless caused. That is, it can further suppress shakes of the work W.

In addition, the projection part 42 in the exemplary embodiment hassufficient strength compared with the ligula piece (e.g. in PatentDocument 1) which is simply formed by bending the corrugated fiberboard.Accordingly, for example, a possibility of collapses and looseness ofthe projection part 42 caused by vibrations at a time of transportationbecomes very low. Therefore, a possibility of positional displacementsand shakes of the cushion elements 30 a and 30 b becomes very low, andas a result, the work W will not be damaged.

In addition, the projection part 42 has sufficient strength comparedwith the ligula piece (e.g. in Patent Document 1) which is simply formedby bending the corrugated fiberboard. Accordingly, during an assemblywork of the second cushioning member 16, a situation where it becomesdifficult to insert the projection part 42 in the through hole 44because of bending or the like can be avoided (i.e. a packagingefficiency can be improved).

Further, according to the exemplary embodiment, because relativelyexpensive cushion material (e.g. styrene foam) is partially used insteadof entirely used for the second cushioning member 16, it can suppressincrease of the cost. In addition, according to the exemplaryembodiment, because joint of the fixing member with the cushion materialis simply done by an insertion instead of using adhesive or the like,when disposing, it only needs to remove it and also has an advantagethat a separation becomes easy.

Further, according to the above-described first exemplary embodiment,the projection part 42 is formed one by one at both of the end parts ofeach of the cushion elements 30 a and 30 b. That is, as a whole, it hasa configuration that the work W is held at four corners. As the result,a holding stability of a work can be increased and the work W is firmlyprotected.

According to the above-described first exemplary embodiment, it isneedless to mention that similar cushioning member as the secondcushioning member 16 can be adopted as the cushioning member of thefirst cushioning member 14 arranged in the bottom part of the packagingbox 12.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 4 is the exploded perspective view showing the exemplaryconfiguration of a second cushioning member 50 according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The second cushioningmember 50 includes a plurality of cushion elements 52 a and 52 b and afixing member 54. The difference between the cushion elements 52 a and52 b according to the second exemplary embodiment and the cushionelements 30 a and 30 b according to the first exemplary embodiment is ona point that the cushion elements 52 a and 52 b further includes theprojecting part which is projecting to both of the end part, and agroove part 60 is formed at each projecting part.

In addition, the difference between the fixing member 54 in the secondexemplary embodiment and the fixing member 32 in the first exemplaryembodiment is on a point that the fixing member 54 further forms abending part 62 at each end part of a pair of opposing side which facesin the direction of crossing at right angle (i.e. Y-direction shown inFIG. 4, and is a second direction) to the direction of fluted direction(i.e. X-direction shown in FIG. 4, and is first direction) of thecorrugated fiberboard of the fixing member 54.

In the case of assembling the second cushioning member 50, eachprojection part 42 of the cushion elements 52 a and 52 b is inserted inthe corresponding through hole 44 of the fixing member 54, which issimilar to the first exemplary embodiment. In addition, each bendingpart 62 of the fixing member 54 is inserted in the corresponding groovepart 60 of the cushion elements 52 a and 52 b.

According to the above-described second exemplary embodiment, becausethe cushion elements 52 a and 52 b and the fixing member 54 can bejoined more firmly, shakes of the cushion elements 52 a and 52 b can besurely suppressed. In addition, by installing the bending part 62 in thefixing member 54, it can further increase durability against impactsadded to the horizontal direction (i.e. Y-direction in FIG. 4). That is,it can further improve a protection performance of the work W.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 5 is the perspective view showing the exemplary configuration of afixing member 70 according to the third exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The difference between the fixing member 70 and thefixing member 32 of the first exemplary embodiment is on a point thatthe fixing member 70 includes a hole part 72 at a predetermined positionwhich is capable of penetrating a convex part which is formed in thework W (e.g. a grasping part for carrying the work W or an attachingpart for installing it). The convex part of the work W is accommodatedin a space formed by the inner wall side of each projection part 42 ofthe cushion element (e.g. 30 a and 30 b in the case of the firstexemplary embodiment), the fixing member 70 and the ceiling lid 20 ofthe packaging box 12.

According to the above-described third exemplary embodiment, it canutilize a space formed by the projection parts 42, and package the workW having projections without enlarging the packaging device.

Variation Example

In the above-described first to third exemplary embodiments, thefollowing contrivance can be made for the insertion of the projectionpart 42 to the through hole 44. It is possible to set size of thethrough hole 44 smaller than size of the projection part 42, and alsoforms cuts at four corners of the through hole 44. By doing in this way,the cushion element can be more firmly fixed with the fixing member.Further, it can easily insert the projection part 42 into the throughhole 44. In addition, the shape of the projection part 42 can bedesigned so that it gradually becomes large from a base. By forming theshape of the projection part 42 following to the above descriptions, adrop of the cushion element from the fixing member can be prevented.

In addition, number of the cushion elements is not limited to two. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6, four cushion elements can be adopted to bearranged at each one of the four corners.

In addition, the cushion elements does not need to be arranged at a pairof opposing side which faces in the direction which fluted direction ofthe corrugated fiberboard extends (e.g. X-direction in FIG. 2), but canbe arranged at a pair of opposing side which faces along the directionwhich fluted direction extends.

Further, in the above-described first to third exemplary embodiment, theshape and the number of the projection part 42 formed in the cushionelements 30 a and 30 b are not limited to those described above, but canbe arbitrarily changed. For example, concerning the number, oneprojection part can be employed which covers the whole area of each ofcushion elements 30 a and 30 b, or no smaller than three projectionparts can be adopted.

Further, material of the cushion element is not limited to styrene foam,but foaming polypropylene or rubber or the like can be used. Material ofthe fixing member is not limited to the corrugated fiberboard, but aplastic corrugated fiberboard, a plastic sheet, wood or metal or thelike can be used.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

A cushioning member according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is a cushioning member arranged at least in a bottompart or a ceiling part in a packaging box and protects a work, whereinit comprises a plurality of cushion elements in which a holding partwhich holds said work is formed in a surface side and at least oneprojection part is formed in the other surface side, and the fixingmember which is formed by single rectangular plate member, has throughholes for inserting said projection part of each said cushion element atpredetermined positions and restricts movements of each said cushionelement by inserting each said projection part in said correspondingthrough hole, wherein said projection parts pierce said through holesand a tip end part of each said projection part contacts with an innerwall side of said packaging box in the case of arranging each saidcushion element which is fixed by said fixing member in said packagingbox.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

The packaging device according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention includes a packaging box and a cushioning member whichis arranged at least in a bottom part or a ceiling part and protects thework, wherein said cushioning member comprises a plurality of cushionelements in which a holding part which holds said work is formed in asurface side and at least one projection part is formed in the othersurface side respectively, and a fixing member which is formed by singlerectangular plate member, has through holes for inserting saidprojection parts of each said cushion element at predetermined positionsand restricts movements of each said cushion element by inserting eachsaid projection part in said corresponding through hole, wherein saidprojection parts pierce said through holes and a tip end part of eachsaid projection part contacts with the inner wall side of said packagingbox in the case of arranging each said cushion element which is fixed bysaid fixing member in said packaging box.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limitedto these embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asdefined by the claims.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese patent application No. 2009-279321, filed on Dec. 9, 2009, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10 packaging device

12 packaging box

14 first cushioning member

16 and 50 second cushioning member

20 ceiling lid

22 holding part

30 a (30 b) and 52 a (52 b) cushion element

32, 54 and 70 fixing member

40 holding part

42 projection part

44 through hole

60 groove part

62 bending part

72 hole part

1. A cushioning member which is arranged in a packaging box and protectsan object to be packaged, comprising: a plurality of cushion elements inwhich a holding part which holds said object to be packaged is formed ina surface side and at least a projection part is formed in the othersurface side; and a fixing member in which a through hole which saidprojection part of each said cushion element can pierce is formed at apredetermined position and movements of each said cushion element arerestricted by each said projection part being inserted in saidcorresponding through hole, wherein said projection part pierces saidthrough hole and a tip end part of said projection part contacts with aninner wall side of said packaging box in the case of arranging each saidcushion element which is fixed by said fixing member in said packagingbox.
 2. The cushioning member according to claim 1, wherein said cushionelement is fixed at each end part of a pair of opposing side which facesin a first direction of said fixing member.
 3. The cushioning memberaccording to claim 2, wherein a bending part is formed at each end partof a pair of opposing side which faces in a second direction whichcrosses at right angle with said first direction of said fixing member,and wherein each bending part is inserted in each groove part formed atboth of the end parts of each said cushion element.
 4. The cushioningmember according to claim 2, wherein said fixing member is formed bycorrugated fiberboard sheets and said first direction is a directionwhich is the same as a fluted direction of the corrugated fiberboardsheets.
 5. The cushioning member according to claim 1, wherein saidprojection part is formed one by one at both of each end part of eachsaid cushion element.
 6. The cushioning member according to claim 1,wherein a hole part through which a convex part formed in said object tobe packaged can pierce is formed at a predetermined position of saidfixing member, and a space formed by said projection part, said fixingmember and the inner wall side of said packaging box accommodates saidconvex part.
 7. The cushioning member according to claim 1, wherein sizeof said through hole is adjusted to smaller than size of said projectionpart and cuts are arranged around said through hole.
 8. The cushioningmember according to claim 1, wherein said projection part has a shapewhich gradually becomes large from a base.
 9. A packaging device,comprising: a packaging box; and the cushioning member according toclaim 1 which is arranged in the packaging box and protects the objectto be packaged.
 10. The packaging device according to claim 9, furthercomprising: said cushioning member which is arranged at an upper part ofsaid object to be packaged and protects the object to be packaged; andanother cushioning member which is arranged at a bottom part of saidpackaging box, possesses holding parts corresponding to shape of thebottom part of said object to be packaged and protects said object to bepackaged.